Closca Hostel Koh Tao

Set above Chalok Baan Kao Bay in the quieter south of Koh Tao, Closca Hostel is built around a simple idea: clean, comfortable accommodation with shared spaces where you can sit down and take the day at a slower pace. The atmosphere brings together backpackers and remote workers, so you can have a conversation, open your laptop or simply leave the laptop closed for once.

The choice is straightforward. Dormitory beds suit solo travellers who do not mind sharing, while private rooms give couples or dive buddies their own space at the end of the day. Air conditioning, WiFi, a lounge and outdoor seating cover the useful basics without turning the place into a resort pretending to be something else.

The address is Moo 3, Chalok, Ko Tao, Surat Thani, Thailand, above Chalok Baan Kao Bay. The bay is only a short walk away, with calm water and a gentler pace than the busier parts of the island. Chalok Baan Kao Beach is about half a mile away, while Shark Bay Beach is roughly 0.6 miles away.

You can also reach Aow Leuk Beach and Freedom Beach in about a mile, and Mae Haad Beach is around 0.9 miles on foot. For food close to base, Tukta Thai Food is about 50 feet away, with Metal Sheet Food and Drinks roughly 450 feet away. Cafés and bars are within about half a mile, while Sairee's livelier nightlife is a short ride north.

The surrounding coastline is made for a mask and fins. Freedom Beach, Buddha Rock and Sai Nuan each have their own reef, giving you something easy to explore between proper dives.

Dormitory beds come in mixed four-bed rooms, a female four-bed room and a mixed eight-bed room. They are the practical choice if keeping accommodation costs under control matters more than having the room to yourself. A bunk, a wardrobe and a bathroom are the essentials; the four-bed options keep the shared arrangement less busy than the larger dormitory.

Private accommodation is aimed at two people, with either twin beds or an extra-large double bed. Choose the twin room if you are travelling with a dive partner and prefer not to share a bed. The standard and deluxe double rooms make more sense for couples who want a private base after a full day outside.

Every room has air conditioning, a fan, a work desk, a wardrobe and a private bathroom with a shower, toilet, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries. Mountain views, a balcony, tea and coffee-making facilities and an electric kettle add a few useful details. The WiFi runs throughout the property, and the rooms are used by remote workers as well as holidaymakers, so there is somewhere to deal with the necessary messages before getting back to the important business of dinner.

Breakfast is included and served daily in an Asian style. You get coffee, tea, bread with butter and jam, two types of fresh fruit, plus a rotating extra: hard-boiled eggs on one day, waffles on another. It is not a grand buffet, but it gives you a proper start before heading out with a mask, fins or a dive bag.

There is one bar at the hostel, with happy hour for the useful post-dive ritual of sitting down and doing very little. The lounge, terrace and outdoor furniture give you places to eat or drink without retreating straight to your bunk. Evening entertainment and movie nights keep the communal side of the hostel going when you are not ready for bed.

For a more substantial meal, the immediate area does the job. Tukta Thai Food is about 50 feet away, and Metal Sheet Food and Drinks is roughly 450 feet away; P.Oys Place is around 1,150 feet away. Chalok also has family-run Thai kitchens and beach bars, while Sairee offers a livelier evening when you feel like making the trip north.

The terrace and shared lounge are the main places to land when you are not eating or sleeping. Outdoor seating lets you take the air, while the lounge and TV area offer a more forgiving option when the sun has done enough for one day. Board games, puzzles, movie nights and evening entertainment give you low-effort ways to spend the evening without having to organise an expedition.

If your legs still work, hiking and cycling are available, and bicycle rental is offered alongside scooter rental. John Suwan Viewpoint is one of the nearby outings. It is the sort of plan that can be fitted around diving rather than replacing it: a short ride, a view, then back for a shower.

Snorkelling is also available around the nearby beaches. Chalok Baan Kao Bay, Freedom Beach, Buddha Rock and Sai Nuan provide several options for a lighter day in the water, while beach bars and the occasional bonfire party keep the local evenings relaxed.

Arrival is scheduled from 14:00 to 20:00, and departure runs from 08:00 to 11:00. Earlier arrival and later departure can be arranged on request, which is useful when your boat connection refuses to respect hotel timetables. Luggage storage and a concierge service are available, so you can keep moving around the island when your room is not yet ready or your departure is later in the day.

Access is by a short taxi or songthaew ride from Mae Haad Pier. Samui International Airport is about 38 miles away, and Chumphon Airport is roughly 53 miles away; the journey involves the island's boat connections as well as the road transfer. Plan the arrival as a small travel day, not as a quick hop from the airport terminal.

WiFi is free throughout the property, and a work desk is available in every room. Children are not allowed, cots and extra beds are unavailable, pets are not allowed, and parties or similar events are not permitted. Cash is not accepted, so arrange your payment accordingly before you arrive.